A Generic Agent Organisation Framework For Autonomic Systems

Autonomic computing is being advocated as a tool for managing large, complex computing systems. Specifically, self-organisation provides a suitable approach for developing such autonomic systems by incorporating self-management and adaptation properties into large-scale distributed systems. To aid in this development, this paper details a generic problem-solving agent organisation framework that can act as a modelling and simulation platform for autonomic systems. Our framework describes a set of service-providing agents accomplishing tasks through social interactions in dynamically changing organisations. We particularly focus on the organisational structure as it can be used as the basis for the design, development and evaluation of generic algorithms for self-organisation and other approaches towards autonomic systems

Phonologische Prozesse in der deutschen Sprache türkisch-deutsch bilingualer Kinder [Phonological patterns in German in Turkish-German bilingual children]

Hintergrund Kenntnisse über den typischen Ausspracheerwerb sind notwendig, um Aussprachestörungen identifizieren zu können. Hierbei spielt die phonologische Prozessanalyse eine wichtige Rolle. Informationen zum Ausspracheerwerb bilingualer Kinder sind bislang rar, sodass eine Diagnosestellung erschwert ist. Methode Mit Hilfe eines Bilderbenenntests wurden die phonologischen Prozesse im Deutschen von 84 türkisch-deutsch bilingualen Kindern im Alter von 3;0-5;5 Jahren untersucht. Ergebnis Bis auf wenige Ausnahmen (z.B. Vokalfehler) wurden nur phonologische Prozesse im Deutschen beobachtet, die denen monolingualer Kinder entsprechen. Diese wurden meist später als von monolingualen Kindern überwunden. Simultan und sukzessiv bilingual aufwachsende Kinder unterschieden sich hier kaum. Diskussion Die Ergebnisse bestätigen bisherige Pilotstudien zum türkisch-deutschen Phonologieerwerb und können zur Orientierung in der sprachtherapeutischen Aussprachediagnostik herangezogen werden. Background A reliable identification of speech sound disorders (SSD) requires detailed knowledge about the typical speech acquisition process, specifically about phonological patterns. To date, data on speech acquisition in bilingual populations are rare, which hinders the diagnostic process with regard to SSDs in bilingual children. Methods Eighty-four typically developing children growing up bilingual Turkish-German (aged 3;0-5;5) were assessed on a picture naming test for German in order to investigate the occurring phonological patterns. Results Excluding very few exceptions (e.g. vowel errors), the Turkish-German-speaking participants mainly showed error patterns in German that are typical for monolingual children acquiring German but with a later age of suppression. Differences between children growing up simultaneous bilingual or successive bilingual were minimal. Discussion The present findings concerning phonological acquisition in Turkish-German bilinguals confirm previous pilot studies and could be used as preliminary clinical guidance when diagnosing SSDs in Turkish-German bilingual children

Social and gender analysis report: Barotse Floodplain, Western Province,Zambia

There is increasing awareness that integrating gender into development frameworks is critical for effective implementation of development strategies. In working to alleviate rural poverty, the CGIAR Research Program on Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS) recognizes that “business as usual” gender integration approaches will not deliver lasting and widespread improvements in agricultural productivity, poverty reduction and food security. In response, AAS operationalized a gender transformative approach. The approach is informed by conceptual frameworks that explicitly recognize the potent influence of social relations on creating and perpetuating gender inequalities. In this way, AAS aims to address the underlying causes of rural poverty and gender inequality in Zambia’s Barotse Floodplain, where people rely extensively on riverine and wetland ecosystems for food and livelihood security. A central question guiding the research program is “How do social norms and gendered power relations influence agricultural development outcomes?” The findings presented in this report provide insights that help answer this question. The report presents a review of literature relevant to livelihoods, ecosystem services, and gender and social relations in Zambia, with a specific focus on Western Province, where AAS is currently implemented. It also presents a synthesis of findings of a social and gender analysis conducted in 2013 in 10 focal communities situated in and around the Barotse Floodplain

Targeted nasal vaccination provides antibody-independent protection against Staphylococcus aureus.

Despite showing promise in preclinical models, anti-Staphylococcus aureus vaccines have failed in clinical trials. To date, approaches have focused on neutralizing/opsonizing antibodies; however, vaccines exclusively inducing cellular immunity have not been studied to formally test whether a cellular-only response can protect against infection. We demonstrate that nasal vaccination with targeted nanoparticles loaded with Staphylococcus aureus antigen protects against acute systemic S. aureus infection in the absence of any antigen-specific antibodies. These findings can help inform future developments in staphylococcal vaccine development and studies into the requirements for protective immunity against S. aureus

B-blockers, calcium antagonists, and mortality in stable coronary artery disease: An international cohort study

Aims: The effect of first-line antianginal agents, β-blockers, and calcium antagonists on clinical outcomes in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) remains uncertain. Methods and results We analysed the use of β-blockers or calcium antagonists (baseline and annually) and outcomes in 22 006 stable CAD patients (enrolled 2009–2010) followed annually to 5 years, in the CLARIFY registry (45 countries). Primary outcome was all-cause death. Secondary outcomes were cardiovascular death and the composite of cardiovascular death/non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI). After multivariable adjustment, baseline β-blocker use was not associated with lower all-cause death [1345 (7.8%) in users vs. 407 (8.4%) in non-users; hazard ratio (HR) 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84–1.06; P = 0.30]; cardiovascular death [861 (5.0%) vs. 262 (5.4%); HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.79–1.05; P = 0.20]; or cardiovascular death/non-fatal MI [1272 (7.4%) vs. 340 (7.0%); HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.91–1.16; P = 0.66]. Sensitivity analyses according to β-blocker use over time and to prescribed dose produced similar results. Among prior MI patients, for those enrolled in the year following MI, baseline β-blocker use was associated with lower all-cause death [205 (7.0%) vs. 59 (10.3%); HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50–0.91; P = 0.01]; cardiovascular death [132 (4.5%) vs. 49 (8.5%); HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.37–0.73; P = 0.0001]; and cardiovascular death/non-fatal MI [212 (7.2%) vs. 59 (10.3%); HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.52–0.93; P = 0.01]. Calcium antagonists were not associated with any difference in mortality. Conclusion In this contemporary cohort of stable CAD, β-blocker use was associated with lower 5-year mortality only in patients enrolled in the year following MI. Use of calcium antagonists was not associated with superior mortality, regardless of history of MI

Chaos and Quantum-Classical Correspondence via Phase Space Distribution Functions

Quantum-classical correspondence in conservative chaotic Hamiltonian systems is examined using a uniform structure measure for quantal and classical phase space distribution functions. The similarities and differences between quantum and classical time-evolving distribution functions are exposed by both analytical and numerical means. The quantum-classical correspondence of low-order statistical moments is also studied. The results shed considerable light on quantum-classical correspondence.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures, to appear in Physical Review

Individualized angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitor therapy in stable coronary artery disease based on clinical and pharmacogenetic determinants: The PERindopril GENEtic (PERGENE) risk model

Background-Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) constitute a heterogeneous group in which the treatment benefits by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitor therapy vary between individuals. Our objective was to integrate clinical and pharmacogenetic determinants in an ultimate combined risk prediction model. Methods and Results-Clinical, genetic, and outcomes data were used from 8726 stable CAD patients participating in the EUROPA/PERGENE trial of perindopril versus placebo. Multivariable analysis of phenotype data resulted in a clinical risk score (range, 0-21 points). Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs275651 and rs5182 in the angiotensin-II type I-receptor gene and rs12050217 in the bradykinin type I-receptor gene) were used to construct a pharmacogenetic risk score (PGXscore; range, 0-6 points). Seven hundred eighty-five patients (9.0%) experienced the primary endpoint of cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction or resuscitated cardiac arrest, during 4.2 years of follow-up. Absolute risk reductions ranged from 1.2% to 7.5% in the 73.5% of patients with PGXscore of 0 t

Chronic kidney disease has a graded association with death and cardiovascular outcomes in stable coronary artery disease : An analysis of 21,911 patients from the CLARIFY registry

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk in a broad spectrum of populations. However, the risk associated with a reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with stable coronary artery disease receiving standard care in the modern era, independently of baseline cardiovascular disease, risk factors, and comorbidities, remains unclear. We analyzed data from 21,911 patients with stable coronary artery disease, enrolled in 45 countries between November 2009 and July 2010 in the CLARIFY registry. Patients with abnormal renal function were older, with more comorbidities, and received slightly lower-although overall high-rates of evidence-based secondary prevention therapies than patients with normal renal function. The event rate of patients with CKD stage 3b or more (eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m) was much higher than that associated with any comorbid condition. In a multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards model, lower eGFR was independently associated with a graded increased risk of cardiovascular mortality, with adjusted HRs (95% CI) of 0.98 (0.81-1.18), 1.31 (1.05-1.63), 1.77 (1.38-2.27), and 3.12 (2.25-4.33) for eGFR 60-89, 45-59, 30-44, and <30 mL/min/1.73 m, compared with eGFR ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m. A strong graded independent relationship exists between the degree of CKD and cardiovascular mortality in this large cohort of patients with chronic coronary artery disease, despite high rates of secondary prevention therapies. Among clinical risk factors and comorbid conditions, CKD stage 3b or more is associated with the highest cardiovascular mortality